Texas has an unusually large slate of competitive races for the state Legislature and U.S. House this year. Here’s our list of contests to watch.
These are the most competitive November races up and down Texas’ midterm ballot
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Graphics and data reporting
Use our updated database to see what state employees in Texas are paid, as of October 2026
The Texas Tribune’s database of state employees’ compensation has been updated to include salaries as of October 1.
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2026 Texas Elections
Texas governor 2026: Who is running and what to know
The governor is Texas’ chief executive, with a hand in everything from enforcing laws to setting budget priorities and responding to crises. Here’s a look at where GOP candidate Gov. Greg Abbott and Democratic candidate Gina Hinojosa stand.
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Houston ICE Shooting
Texas ICE agent indicted for striking fleeing Houston pedestrian with vehicle
A Harris County grand jury indicted a federal immigration agent caught on video striking a pedestrian during a vehicle pursuit.
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Politics
Suburban Houston voters will be the first in Texas to decide the fate of Flock cameras
Tuesday’s election will determine if League City can keep its 55 cameras operating along city roads.
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2026 Texas Elections
Voting rights groups in Texas have cut back on outreach efforts amid threat of criminal penalties
State lawmakers passed strict restrictions in SB1 that criminalize paid workers helping voters with mail ballots.
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2026 Texas Elections
An Hinojosa win would be a political feat, but she wouldn’t inherit the power Abbott holds
Even if a Democrat were in the Governor’s Mansion, Republicans would likely control the Legislature. Divided government could mean limited political control.
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Public Education
Which families are using ESAs? Here’s what we know about Texas’ first school vouchers
More than 111,000 families are participating in the voucher program in its first year. About 17% of voucher recipients attended public schools during the 2024-25 school year.
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2026 Texas Elections
Tracking the money raised and spent in the U.S. Senate race between James Talarico and Ken Paxton
See the latest fundraising totals, where the money is coming from and how super PACs are spending in what’s poised to be Texas’ most expensive Senate race.
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Politics
Panhandle Republican group wants all Texas ballots hand counted in the Nov. 3 election
The Potter County Republican Party lawsuit argues, without providing proof, that voting machines could be vulnerable. Texas law already requires a portion of paper ballots to be hand counted.
